Trumpet Lessons in Westerwood, NC

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students I typically start with sound development and articulation for the brass instruments starting with armband studies and schlosburg studies. For the intermediate students I work on Clark studies and intersperse getchel etudes for artistic development. Advanced students work on major recital works for brass that help their development for performance. Guitar students learn chordal techniques with rythem patterns and a blend of classical playing finger picking for individual technique for fingers. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Ukulele

I start with the end in mind. Once your student has established clear, realistic goals with me, all the focus is on reaching those goals. It is also made clear that it is the student's responsibility to come into each lesson showing clear evidence that they've practiced the music. I'm stern about this. If the student hasn't put in the time, I will send the student home mid-lesson and they lose that lesson. Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I take a very detailed and analytical approach to music performance, and this is reflected in my teaching. I believe many students look at a piece of music that seems too difficult and become too overwhelmed to realize that's it's not as difficult as it may first appear. By breaking down music into its components, pitch, rhythm, dynamic, articulation, etc., and tackling each item one at a time, students who thought of music as a strange and foreign language begin to see it as something that just works and makes sense. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

I began teaching students in earnest during my senior year of undergraduate school in 1984-85. Prior to graduate school I was an adjunct trumpet teacher at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. Part of my graduate assistantship was as an instructor and since graduation I have helped a number of students from beginner to intermediate level achieve their goals in both classical and non classical settings. I have played professionally in a number of different touring groups as well as played in backup bands for national and international artists. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a musician is seeing the development and growth of the next generation and their take on the music. That being said it is important that each student have a personalized style to fit the needs of the student. By setting goals and task to be practiced in between lessons I am encouraging students to push themselves and find passion and gratitude in their accomplishments. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Djembe

I'm trying to put each student in touch with their inner creative. Everyone learns at a different pace and my approach is to teach something to mastery level rather than fill a quota. Inspiration and the joy of playing is first and foremost with my approach. By breaking difficult passages down into digestable pieces and making attainable goals, I find this keeps the student interested and builds confidence to overcome weaknesses. Read More